Improvement in picture-frames



UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIcE.

A. J. HOLMES, OF SARATOGA SPRINGS, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO WELLS L.ltOBBlNS, OF SAME PLAGE.

IMPROVEMENT IN PICTURE-FRAMES.

Specitication forming part of Letters Patent No. 59,7] 9, dated November13, 1866.

To all whom it may concern.-

Beit known that I, A. J. HOLMES, of Saratoga Springs, in the county ofSaratoga and State of New York, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Frames for Pictures and similar purposes; and I dohereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,and to the letters of reference marked thereon, making part of thisspecitication, in which- Figure l is a front view, and Fig. 2 is atransverse section, taken on the line of x a' of Fig. l.-

The nature of my invention consists in constructing' a frame havin gavcentral fra-me made in the ordinary manner, between the edges oflwhich and an outer frame an intermediate frame is placed, at an angleaffording space for a series of smaller pictures surrounding thecentra-l frame, or, in lieu of said small pictures, any other species ofornamentation, as may be desired.

To enable others skilled in the art to construct and use my improvedframe, I will proceed to describe it.

A represents the central frame, which may be constructed in any of theusual methods, and in which is mounted the central or main iigure. Orepresents another similar frame, but of a considerably larger size,within which the frame A is placed centrally. These two frames are thensecured in position by an intermediate frame, B, inclining forward atits outer edges, as shown clearly in Fig. 2, and filling the spacebetween the inner and outer frames, A and O.

Strips a, secured by ornamental studs or nails, are placed over thepoints at the angles or corners of frame B, to secure the glass,y incase any is used, and cover the joints.

The principal figure or picture is placed in the central frame, whilethe space surrounding this is lled with a series of smaller pictures, asshown in Fig. l; or, if preferred,this space may be occupied with anornamental border of any suitable kind.

In order to remove or change any of the pictures in the border orintermediate frame, and to adapt the frames more readily to the pur poseof exhibiting advertising-cards, which require to be changed more orless frequently', I propose to cut holes through the frame B, as shownin Figs. 3 and 4, and secure the picture or card over the hole, on itsrear side, by means of a cover, E, which may be held in place by astationary cleat, b, at one end, and a movable cleat, b', at theopposite end; or, in large frames, these covers may be secured by hingesand catches, or any similar means.

By these means I am enabled to produce a new style of frame that ishighly ornamental, and that is specially adapted for family groups andsimilar purposes.

It is obvious that frames constructed on this plan may be madeoctagonal, or in any other style desired.

By having the intermediate frame inclined, as shown, the light isreflected inward upon the central figure and concentratedthereon, thus'serving to illuminate it and make it stand out. more distinctly.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim is A new articleof manufacture, consisting of picture and similar frames, constructedsub stantially as herein described.

A. J. HOLMES.

Witnesses:

CHARLES S. LESTER, JAS. S. B. SCOTT.

